NEED for THE DEVELOPMENT of AN ETHICS CODE for THE GAMING INDUSTRY IN PURSUANCE TO THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RULES IN INDIA

The gaming industry in India now faces challenges threatening its sustainability and global competitiveness. This article explores the industry’s struggles, including misconceptions equating gaming with gambling, and the impact of stringent taxation policies. These measures have the potential to undermine stakeholder confidence and deter investment. To address these challenges, the article advocates for the development of a comprehensive ethics code tailored to the gaming industry. Analyzing existing self-regulatory charters reveals inconsistencies and limitations, including inequitable membership structures, vague compliance consequences, and insufficient legal clarity. The proposed ethics code would standardize practices, enforce compliance, and foster trust through clear regulations covering gamer responsibilities, transparency, grievance mechanisms, and operational fairness.